OTR Interviews

Tension runs high between Trayvon Martin's family and Zimmerman defense as both sides brace for painful verdict

This is a rush transcript from "On the Record," July 12, 2013. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK O'MARA, GEORGE ZIMMERMAN DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Ms. Fulton -- people asked why I even questioned her. How dare you question the mom of a passed-away 17-year-old?

Doctors cut people sometimes when they do their work, and that was something that I had to present to you, just something about the way it happened and how it happened, and you know, the impact and just how moms think about these things, both sides, because I know that both moms believe with their heart, with their soul that that was their son screaming for help. You have to. And you want to. And it's just the way you get through it.

VAN SUSTEREN: Lots of times defense lawyers won't lay a glove or even question the mother, especially of a young man who has died, or a boy. You know, were you satisfied with the way Mark O'Mara explained why he cross-examined her?

PARKS: Well, I think he should not have cross-examined her or called her. Nonetheless, it was his decision. I think he'll pay for that decision, though, in that he tried to compare himself to a doctor. And probably one of the wisest things a doctor sometimes has to decide is not to cut and not to have surgery because not everyone is a good surgical candidate.

But that was his decision. I think that his decision was pretty insensitive. There were some questions, especially like what hope she maintains. I think it really took a lot out of her to maintain her composure and to answer his questions.

VAN SUSTEREN: What did she say afterwards?

PARKS: Oh, she was not happy. But maybe that was his intent, not to make her happy. Her answering that question meant nothing to this case, brought nothing of value of determining whether or not George Zimmerman was innocent or guilty for the crime he's charged with.

VAN SUSTEREN: Sometimes, at least my experience in the courtroom, is that I ask a clumsy question. I can even do it on the air, one that I, you know, regret later or something, and especially in the courtroom. Is there any thought that even sort of the question just got clumsy, and I mean, that it wasn't -- it wasn't intentional to try to make her feel worse she's lost a son, but he's got -- he's got to represent his client right there, as well?

PARKS: I don't believe him asking that question had anything to do with him asking that question. I think sometimes, lawyers, we have egos and something about ego pushes us too far, when probably, the smart thing to do is to be very strategic, respectful, and win your case on the winnable points, not on a point -- like, that point meant nothing and in relation to the innocence or guilt of his client.

VAN SUSTEREN: All right, the -- Trayvon's mother got up today and walked out of the courtroom. That was when I believe there were autopsy pictures placed on the screen. Was that sort of planned, or was she given sort of notice that that was going to happen, those pictures were coming up? Or what was...

PARKS: Most of the trial, we've had some notice when those pictures are going up. Today, no notice of the fact that those pictures were going up. But let me also say, too, she has every night not to be there when she doesn't want to be there.

VAN SUSTEREN: Oh, no, I didn't mean it that way! But I mean, it's, like, you know, I was not critical of her, I was only curious.

PARKS: I understand.

VAN SUSTEREN: I was only curious if -- I was sort of curious sort of the procedure here...

PARKS: Right.

VAN SUSTEREN: ... whether heads-up was given to family or -- that was only...

PARKS: Right. Part of the -- and I didn't think it was that (INAUDIBLE) Greta.

VAN SUSTEREN: OK.

PARKS: I think most of the time that she has gotten up when the state has given us a heads-up, you've seen a lot of times (INAUDIBLE) out of the courtroom, I would take her out. When I thought she needed a break, I would tap her out, and based on our advice to her.

VAN SUSTEREN: Right. And tonight, have you had a chance to talk to her, see how she's doing tonight now that the jury has the case?

PARKS: She's tired. She's very tired, very weary. But she remains strong and is very, very much looking forward to receiving this verdict for the death of her child.

VAN SUSTEREN: You know, it's -- you know, nobody wins. I mean...

PARKS: There are no winners.

VAN SUSTEREN: Zimmerman doesn't win. The Trayvon Martin family wins. Certainly, Trayvon Martin. So -- you know, I -- if the verdict comes verdict tomorrow, whatever day, it's going to be very painful for a lot of people.